EXAlVitNt"u
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CHl:L;KLIST£D
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/\!~-Agricultural Statistics
Crops and Livestock
0/
the
State of Colorado
1926
BULLETIN NO. 81
December, 1926, and February, 1927
THE COLORADO CO-OPERATIVE CROP
REPORTING SERVICE
United States Department of Agriculture
Bureau of Agricultural Economics
(Division of Crop and Livestock Estimates)
Lloyd S. Tenny,Chief
JVashinglon
w.
W. Putnam,Agricultural Statistician DenverIn Co-operation with
The Colorado State Board of Immigration
Division of Agricultural Statistics
EdwardD.Foster,Commissioner Tolbert R. Ingram,Depulyand Statistician
Board Members: The Governor, Ex-officio; L. Wirt Markham, Lamar; Thomas Lytle, MontrOle; Neil W. Kimball, Craig.
INDEX
Acreage of crops, Stateand U. S 3, 4, 27, 28, 29 Acreage of crops, 1925-1926 3-9
Alfafa 6, 23
Alfalfa seed 4, 24
Apples 4, 9, 27
Average yields of principal crops. See individual crops by name.
B
Barley 4, 5, 20, 27
Beans >.4, 6, 24, 27, 30 Bees, number of stands 40
Berries 9 Broom corn ..>• • • • • • • • • • •4, 6, 25, 27 C cabbage >• • • • • • • • •4, 7, 25, 27 Cantaloupes 4, 7, 26, 27 carlot shipments 27, 30 Cattle >• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •12, 30..39 Cauliflower 4, 8, 26, 27 Celery 4, 7, 25, 27 Cherries 4, 9 Clover · · · . · · · · . · · 23 Colorado's relation toU. S. agriculture 27 Corn 4, 6, 13, 27 Cucumbers 4, 25 B ~mer > .>• • •4,24
Farms, No. tenure and size ... 10, 11 Farm gardens >• • • • • • •4, 26' Fruits 4, 9, 27 Go Goats, number > .> • • •40 Grapes : . . . 4, 9
•
IIay, all varieties 4, 6, 23, 27 Hogs, see Swine
Horses 30-32, 33, 38 Lettuce · 4, 8, 25, 27 Livestock summary 30-32, 38-39
•
Melons 4. 7, 2*>, 27 Millet 4, 8, 23 Mules 30.. 32, 33, 38o
Oats.>• • • • >• • • •>• • • •4,6, 18-19,23,27 Onions >• • • • •4, 7, 26, 27..
Peaches 4, 9, 27 Pears 4, 9, 27 Peas-Field 4, 8, 24 Garden 4, 8, 24, 27 Plums 9 Potatoes 4, 5, 22, 27 Poultry 40Pumpkins and squash 26
•
Root crops for stock feed 4
Rye 4, 6, 21, 27
•
Seed crops 4, 8, 24 Sheep 30-32, 39 40 SIlos 12 Sorghums 4, 6, 21, 27 Sudan grass 23 Sugar beets 4, 6, 24, 27 Sweet corn 25 Swine 12, 30, 32, 39-40 T Timothy 23 Tomatoes 4, 8, 25Trucks and tractors 12
u
U. S. crop summary 27, 28-29 U. S. livestock ~ummary 38..39
'9'
Values of crops, State and
U. S 4, 27, 28.. 29
Values of crops, 1925-1926 4, 28-29 Values of farm animals 38-39
Vegetables 4, 9, 27
W'
Wheat 3, 4, 14-17, 27
Wlld hay 4, 23, 27
Yields, average
Colorado Agricultural Statistics
for
1926
Annual Crop and Livestock Summary-According to the final estimates made by the Colorado Co-operative Crop Reporting Service, combjned value
ot
all crops and livestock for the state of Colorado on January 1, 1927,was
$18,753,000 less than on January 1, 1926. The value of all crops according to this report in the final estimates was $1.20,969,000, compared with $139,722.,000
a, year ago. Based on the value of 22 principal crops, the United States
De-partment of Agriculture fixed the hypothetical value of all crops for 1926 at $108,838,000, compared to $147,412,000 in 1925. The estimated value of all live-stock on January 1, 1927, was $91,939,000, compared with $96,911,000 January 1, 1926. The total value of aU crops and livestock Was $212,908,OOQ January 1, 1927, compared w.ith $236,633,000 a year ago. These final estimates made by the Co-operattve Crop Reporting S'ervice are based upon reports of county assessors, the federal census, special surveys and other data, and place the total acreage of al1 crops harvested in Colorado in 1926, exclusive of orchards, at 6,630,000 acres, compared with a revised estimate of 6,149,400 acres harvested in 1925. The acreage data shown by the federal census and the assessors and other sources of Information are more or less incomplete and all have' been modified to some extent to reach as nearly as poss.ible 100 per cent for each crop, and the modifications have been made by counties and for the state as a whole.
General Conditiona-The season of 1926 started off with quite favorable moisture conditions for the major portion of the state except the 'extreme east-ern and southeasteast-ern portions, where rain did not occur until about May 10th. From this time until about the first of July excellent moisture prevailed over most of the state and all crops made a good start. The snowfall in thai moun-tains was above normal and the supply of water for direct flow irrigation was better than usual, and reservoirs were mostly filled to capacity except those in the southeastern part of the state. After July 1 a severe drought period set in and continued throughout the remainder of the summer, fall and winter. In the non-irrigated sections this drought was especially severe and cut the grain crops short and dama.ged corn and beans during the middle of August, when unusually hot winds prevailed thorughout the central and eastern parts of the state, causing thousands of acres of barren stalks of corn and preventing a set of beans, resulting in unusually low yields for these crops and a shortage of forage in that section. The drought throughout the fall and winter IllIlde It difficult to obtain good stands ·of wheat and rye, and these crops suffered seriously from winds a.nd dry soil conditions throughout the winter, resulting in a large abandonment of winter wheat planted in the fall of 1926 for harvest in 1927.
Wheat-Thearea sown to winter wheat in the fall of 1925 was estimated
at 1,509,000 acres and the acreage harvested in the season of 1926 was estimated at 1,207,0(}0 acres after winter and summer abandonment and failure, a ggregBt-. Ing 302,000 acresggregBt-. This 1,207,000 acres harvested in 1926 is compared with 896,000 acres harvested in 1925. The total production for the 1926 crop, based on an average yield of 12 bushels per acre was 14,484,000 bushels, compared with 10,752,000 bushels in 1925. The 19261 crop was greatly damaged by the severe drought which occurred during the latter part of June and the fore part of July. In Colorado only slightly more than 9 per cent of the acreage of winter wheat Is grown under irrigation, the remainder being a non-irrigated crop. This const.8ntly decreasing percentage of irrigated winter wheat largely accounts for the reduction of average yields in recent years.
In 1926 about 256,000 acres of spring wheat were harvested, compared with 260,000 acres in 1925. There is a wide variation in yields for both sprIng and winter wheat. Generally, conditions are less favorable for spring wheat for dry land culture than for winter wheat, but the average yield for the state as a whole is generally greater than for winter wheat because a larger per cent of the spring wheat acreage Is grown under irrigation, and was about 45 per cent in 1926. The 1926 spring wheat crop suffered with the drought during July in the non-Irrigated sections. On the other hand., the irrigated spring wheat
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
CROP ACREAGE. PRODUCTION AND VALUE. 1926 AND 1925 Readers are unreel to releTto the text for fuller explanatbn of itemsin·this table.
~
1926 1925
Kind of Crop
Production Value
I
AcreageAcreage Production Value
---Winter Wheat_________ 1,207,000 14,484,000Bu. $ 15,643,00,) 8fl6,Ooo 10,752,000Bu. $14,623,OO~
Spring Wheat____ ,... ____ 256,000 a,968,OOOBu. 4,127,000 260,000 3,900,'000Bu. 5,265,0
All Wheat_____________1,463,'000 18,452,000Bu. 19,770,000 1,156.000 14,602,000Bu. 19,888,OO~ Corn1 _________________ .t,496,OOO 10,472,000Bu. 7,435.000 1,467,000 22,005,000Bu. 15,404,00
0
Oats for Grain2 ________ 195,000 4,680,000Bu. 2,059;000 21-1.000 5,778,000Bu. 2,889,00 0
Barley for Grain3
- - - 417,000 6,672,000Bu. 3,670,000 410,000 8,6W,()t\l0Bu. 4,994,00
0
Rye for Grains --- 89,000 1,024,000Bu. 727,O'cl0 85,000 850,000Bu. 570,00
Emmer________________ 8,440 211,000Bu. 127,000 12,780 320,000Bu. 192,000
Grain Sorghums for
426,000
Grain___ --- 47,000 423;000Bu. 254,000 50,000 600,000Bu. Grain Sorghums for
267,000 667,000 1,223,00: Forage______________ --- 246.000 ---Sweet SOrghuIDS--- 120,000 150,000 T. 930;000 1:30,000 260,000 T. 1,560,00 0 Broom Corn___________ 32,000 2,400T. 199,000 24,000 1,900T. 266,00 Field Peas4
- - - 70,000 980,000Bu. 1,100,000 65,000 910,000Bu. I,OI9,0~
DryBeans____________ . 362,000 1,086,000Bu. 3,041,000 320~000 2,240,0'00Bu. 5,376,0
PotatoesG--- 84,000 11,760,000Bu. 15,288,000 80,000 14,640,000Bu. 22,692,O~ Sugar Beets-_________ 210,000 2,867,000'f. 22,220,000 130,000 1,640,000 T. 9,815,0
Root Crops for
118,000
Stock Feed--- 1,400 19,600T. 118,000 1,400 19,600 T.
Cabbage (Com'l) _______ 2,400 32,200 T. 287,000 2,000 23,000 T. 436,000
Onions (Dry) ---. 3,700 1,018,000Bu. 509,000 3,520 1,144;000Bu. 892,000
Cauliflower (Com'l) ---- 1,100 99,000Cr. 104,000 1,000 160,000Cr. 114,000
Tomatoes (torMfg.) ___ 2,350 17,6001'. 211,000 3,040 25,800T. 297,000
Cantaloupes and Honey
1,301,00:
Dew Melons_________ 11,670 1,984,000Cr. 2,321,000 7,900 1,430,000Cr.
Cucumbers for Pickles __ 2,900 177,&00Bu. 154,000 3,500 357,000Bu. 357,00
Cucumbers for Seed___ 6,050 --- 520,000 5,900 --- 504,000
Peas for Canning
978,oaJ
and Market__________ 4,510
--- 487,000 6.080
---Beans for Seed________ 11,500 92,()'00Bu. 276,000 19,200 172,800Bu. 518,000
Lettuce (Com'l) --- 13,240 1,523,000Cr. 2,178,000 10,500 1,396,000Cr. 2,206;\l00
Celery_________________ 940 282,000Cr. 344,000 920 386,000Cr. l,220,O~ Flax Seed--- --- 870 4,0'0'0Bu. 7,0
Millet Seed6___ - - - . 33,000 231,000Bu. 277,000 33,000 264,000Bu. 315,OO~ Alfalfa SeedT--- 4,000 16,000Bu. 144,000 6,600 26,400Bu. 238,00
Other Garden and
819,000
Seed Crops ____ --- 7.800 --- 800,OO~ 8,190
---Tame Hay, All
32,112,~
Varieties ____________ 1,258,000 2,905,000T. 24,983,000 1,245,000 2,676,000T.
Wild Hay______________ 360,000 360,001>T. 2,880,000 360,000 360,000 1.'. 3,888.0
00
F~Gardens--- 13,000 --- 650.0'00 8,000 --- 400.0
Apples________________· 3,444,000Bu. 2,411,000 3,200,000Bu. 3,520,~: Peaches _______________ · 976,000Bu. 1,074,000 450,000Bu. 855,0 Pears_________________. 564;000Bu. 367,000 510,000Bu.
686,= Cherries _______________ 7,000 T. 700,000 3,600T. 396,~ Grapes_______________ -_ 320T. 32,000 260T.
6~:OOO
Miscellaneous Fruits ____ --- 550,00(1---Sugar Beet T ops8 _______ 210,000
--- --- 945,000 130,000 --- 590,~
Rye for Pasture________ 32,000 --- 160,000 33,000 --- 165,
- - - -
----
- - ----Cf"otals __________ - - - --6,626.00'0 --- $120,969,000 6,142,800 --- $139.722,000
~
IThis includes theent~reacre8.ll:e of corn, whether harvested for mature corn, cut for silaale or drY
forage, or hogged off.
2In addition to the acrea51:e shown here, it is estimated that about92.000 acres of oats were cut green for hay, this additional acreage appearing in the hay table.
3In addition to the barley and rye acreai(e shown here. there is a small acreBKe otbarley and approximately 32.000 acres of rye for hay or pasture. This additional rye acreage is shown in the table dealing with that crop.
VI'hQacreageotfield peas includes the entire crop, whether threshed for grain or fed on the vine, the grain value being approximately the same in either case.
GLater shipping: and consumptive use data indicate that the earlier estimate of 86,000acres ot po-tatoes for the 1926 croP was perhaps too hiR"h, and the revised figure is shown here.
errhis acreage is additional to the total of 56,500shown in the hay table, being used tor its seed value nlther than for hay.
TIncluded in the acreage of alfalfa hay for 1925and not carried into the total acreage in cultiva" tion showninthis table.
'This acreage is identical with that shown for suv.arbeetsand is not carried into the total here. NOTE-For some of the ~ardenand truck crops in the above table only acreage and production for manufacture or the general market are used. while in the detailed tables on subsequent page9 the ac~eshown includes the entire area devoted to these crops, whether marketed locally or going into the g:eneral commercial market. The total acreag:e in cultivation shown above is for that reason about2;.>00 acres below the total shown in the detailed tables.
STA TE OF COLORADO 5
did exceptionally well. The average yie'lds for spring wheat vary from less
than four bushels per acre in some localities on non-irrigated lands to the
maximum of 50 to 75 bushels per acre on irrigated lands. In the season of
1926 there ,vas very little damage to wheat from rust.
It is estimated that 1,509,000 acres of winter wheat were planted in the state in the fall of 1926, or practically the same acreage as that sown in the
fall of' 1925. Owing to dry soil conditions and drought throughout the fall, the
crop made rather an unfavorable start and the condition on December 1, 1926, Was only 70 per cent of normal, compared with 90 per cent a year previously and 87, the t'en-year average for Decem,ber 1.
Corn-The area devoted to corn in Colorado in 1926 was 1,496,00:) acres, .
compared with 1,467,000 acres in 1925. Moisture conditions were generally
favorable at planting time and the crop made an excellent start up to July 1 but was damaged by the drought that prevailed during July and August and the hot winds that occurred at pollination time, about August 15th, causing thousands of acres of barren stalks and generally resulting in low yields for
the non-irrigated sections. The total production of all corn in the state for
1926 is estimated at 10.472.000 bushels, or an average yield of 7 bushels per acre, compared with 22,005,000 bushels, or an average yield of 15 bushels per
acre. in 1925. In Colorado, about 9 per cent of the corn acreage is on irrigated
land. Corn flanks first in acreage a.s a single crop. The corn crop is never
all harvested for grain in: this state, some of it always being cut for silage and Some of it pastured or harvested for forage and fed as. a mixed grain and stover
ration. Much was fed in the field. grazed by sheep and hogs, and in 1926 quite
a large per cent of the acreage' \vas abandoned, used only as pasture. In the
table on page 13, the entire acreage is treated as if it had been harvested for grain in computing the production and value.
Oats-In 1926 about 195.000 acres of oats were harvested for grain,
com-pared with 214,00) acres in 1925. It is estimated that about 92,000 acres more
were cut green for hay or pastured. About 44 per cent of the oats acreage
is under irrigation and 56 per cent upon non-irrigated lands. This crop also
suffered severely from the exceptional drought during July.
Barley-About 417,000 acres of barley were harvested for grain, com,pared
with 410,()OO acres in 1925. In Colorarlo only about 25 per cent of the barley
,area is classed under irrigation. ,vith 75 per cent on non-irrigated lands. The
average yield in 1926 is estimated at 16 bushels per acre, compared with 21
bushels per acre in 1925. The total production is placed at 6,672,000 bushels,
compared with 8,610,000 bushels a year ago. The acreage devoted to barley is
belng increased quite rapidly.
Rye-Of the entire 13creage planted to rye, about 89,000 acres is estimat~d
as haVing been harvested for grain, compared with 85,000 acres in 1925. Much
rye is planted for pasture and some for hay, the total acreage being about
121,000 acres, compared with 118,000 acres in 1925. Of the acrea.ge h:arvested
for grain, about 16 per cent is spring sown and the remainder fall sown. The
average yield is placed at 11.5 bushels per 'acre, compared with 10 bushels a year ago.
Pota,toes-Reports indicate that about 84,000 acres of potatoes were
har-vested in 1926, compared with 80,000 acres harhar-vested in 1925. In Colorado
about 82 per cent of the acreage devoted to this crop is under irrigation and th.e
remainder, 18 per cent, upon non-irrigated' lands. In the non-irrigated sections
this crop was very spotted and was almost a failure in some distrIcts. On the
other band, the yields in the principal commercial areas under irrigation
pro-duced about an average crop, mostly O'f good quality and harvested without
any serious damage. Due to high prices and average production, potatoes rank
fourth in total value of any single crop in the state, only exceeded by ha.y,
sugar beets and wheat. The average, yield in 1926 is estimated' at 140 bushels
per acre, compared with 183 bushels in 1925. Prices received were somewhat
lower than in the preceding year, and in December averaged a.bout $1.30,
com-pared with $1.55, in 1925. The carlot shipments from the 1926 crop amounted
to 14,143 cars, compared ,vith 15.,422 cars for the 1925 crop.
Grain· Sorghums-Reports indicate that about 314,000 acres were devoted to grain sorghums (kafflr, mUo and feterits.) in 1926, compared with 296,000 in
6 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
'strictly as grain, while the remaining 267,000 acres were h~rV'estedas a com-bined grain and stover nation. In addition to the grain sorghums, it is esti-mated there are about 120,000·acres of sweet sorghums (amber and orange cane), compared with130,000 acres in 1925. Sweet sorghums are used largely as a hay crop, although it is estimated that about 6,000 acres are harvested for seed. In addition to grain and sweet sorghums, there is also about 26,000 acres of sudan grass, compared with 27,000 acres in 19,25. The sudan grass is used as hay, land the acreage and production are included in the tame hay crop. In C()lorado all but about 21h per cent of the sorghums are grown on
dry land farms. Sorghums constitute one of the main crops of this class of farming, especially in the southeastern Jpart of the state. Baca county leads in the acreage and production of grain sorghums with over 81,470 acres, com-pared with its nearest competitor, Prowers county with about30,150 acres. The season of 1926 was quite unfavorable for this crop, especially in the south-eastern portion of the state, and thousands of acres were almost a failure.
Beans-Therewaga further large increase in the acreage devoted to beans in1926,amounting to362,000acres, compared with320,000acres in1925.The sea-son was quit~favorable for this crop at planting time during May and June, but the drought period during July and August caused the crop to be very spotted and resulted in thousands of acres of failure, the average yield for the . state being 3 bushels per acre, compared with 7 bushels in 1925, and the total production amounting to 1.,086,000 bushels, compared with 2,240,000 bushels in 1925. Weather at harvest time was favorable and most of the beans were harvested in good condition, though considerable loss occurred account of the heavy wind of September 30. In addition to the acreage devoted to the general cropof beans, there are about11,500 acres' grown under contract with seed companies and others for seed, compared with 19,200 acres in 1925. The seed beans are grown largely' in Weld county, with Greeley as the center of the district, though a few Bcres are grown in several other counties through-out the state. The se·OO beans are principally snap or garden varieties. The general crop grown in Colorado for the consumers' market is mostly pintos, which constitute about95 per cent of the entire bean acreage. Seed beans are grown almost wholly under irrigation, while only ,about 15 per ~ent of the pintos of the general crop is grown on irrigated land, the remaining 85 per cent being non-irrigated. In addition to these two classes of dry beans, there are about 1,420 acres of snap beans grown wholly under irrigation for canning and market.
Broom Corn-ThereW188a heavy incre,ase in the acreage devoted to broom
com in 1926, the total area amounting to about 32,000 acres, compared with 24,000 acres in 1925. This was due to the exceptionally favorable soil and moisture conditions at planting time in the southeastern portion of the state, where this crop is principally grown. Owing to the drought conditions that prevailed later, much of the crop was abandoned or proved a failure and the final production resulted in a low average yield per acre, and amounted to 2.,400 tons, compared with1,9-00tons in 1925.
Hay-If all varieties of crops used for hay in Colorado were classed as a single crop, then hay, as has been the situation for many years, is the state's leading crop, both in acreage and value. In 1926 hay continued to rank first in value and acreage, with 1,618,000 acres, compared with 1,605,00) acres in 1925. The total value of the hay crop is estimated at $27,863,000, compared with $36,000,000 in 1925, the lower valuation being due entirely to the loW price received per ton. Hay can hardly be classed as a single crop itt this state, since it consists o~alfalfa, timothy, clover, sudan grass, millet and some other tame grasses and a large variety of wild grasses, and a considerable acreage of grains cut green and such annual legumes as field peas and beanS. Alfalfa is by far the most important, with 879,000acres, compared with 870,0'"'0 acres in 1925. The acreage devoted to each variety of tame hay, including portions cut tor seed, will be found on another page of this bulletin. The total acreage of all varieties of tame hay was1,258,000 acres" compared with 1,245,· 000 acres in1925.
Sugar Beets--The preliminary reports of the sugar manufacturing com-panies in Colorado, place the acreage harvested in the state in 1926 at 210,000 acres, compared with the final estimateof 130,000 acres in 1925. This crop IS grown wholly under irrigation, and in most sections the season· was exceptionallY favorable, resulting in a high average yield and large production, aroounting to
2,-STATE OF·COLORADO 7
867,O~;O tons, compared with-1,640,000 tons in 1925. The value of the 1926
crop is estimated at $22,220,,000, compared with $9,815,000 in 1925. The 1925
crop was small, due to great losses in acreages after planting time account of severe drought conditions during April and May
ot
1925, when it became neces-sary to plant to other cropsa.
considerable portion of the area already planted to beets. Most of the beets in Colorado are paid for on sliding scale, based on the sugar content in the beets and the average price of wholesale sugar during the year, so that the final value of the beets cannot be determined until nearly a year after harvest. The value of beet tops as pasture for 210,000 acres is estimated at $945,000, compared with $585,000 for 130,000 acres in 1925.Cabbage--The area devoted to commercial cabbage in Colorado in 1926
was estimated at 2,400acres, compared with 2,000 acr~,in1925. This includes a small acreage grown under contract for kraut. In addition to the commercial acreage, about 1,000 acres are reported as Krown for home and local consump-tion. The total acreage reported shows 1,,530acres are considered as domestic or early cabbage, compared with 800 acres in 1925, and 1,870 acres as Danish or late cabbage, compared with 1,210 acres the preceding year. The average yield of the commercial crop was 13.4 tons per acre, compared with 11.5 tons
in 1925. Prices in 1926 were unsatisfactorily low and much less than in 1925.
The total value of the com,mercial crop of both kinds of cabbage amounted to
$287,000, compared with $436,000 in 1925. From the,1926 crop 1,274 cars of
cabbage were shipped, compared to 1,432 cars from the crop ~ 1925. It is difficult to determine the exact amount of cabbage produced as shown by carlot shipments, as' a large per cent of the crop is shipped with mixed vegetables, of which there were 3,471 cars shipped, from the 1926 crop, compared with 4,111
cars from the 192ti crop. Weld county leads in the growing of cabbage, with about 1,80()acres, compared with Adams county, second, with 850 acres.
Onions-About 3,700 acres were devoted to the growing of commercial onions in 1926, compared with 3,520 acres in 1925. The season was fairly favorable for this crop, though not as good as in 1925, the average yield being
275 bushels per acre, compared to 325 bushels the preceding year. The total production is estimated at 1,018,000 bushels, compared to 1,,144,000 bushels in
1925. Shipments ifrom the 1926 crop amounted to 1,747 cars, compared with
1,809cars in1925. In additicn to the general crop of dry onions, it is estfmated
there are about210 acres of green and seed onions. Montrose and Delta coun-ties lead in the production of dry onions, with Weld county third in importance. Melons-Reports indicate that about 13,850 acres of Clantaloupes were planted in1926,compared with11,480acres planted in1925. Of the area planted, about 11,670acres were harvested as a commercial crop, compared with 7,900
acres in 1925. The total acreages include not only cantaloupes for market but also honeydews and some cantaloupes for seed. It is estimated that about I,· 700 acres of cantaloupes were grown for seed, and about 1,300 acres of water melons grown for all purposes. However, the strIctly comm.ercial acreage of Wtater melons is estimated at300acres. The season of1926 wag quite fa.vorable for the production of cantaloupes, though not regarded, as quite as good as
1925 and resulted in an ave~ge of 170 crates per acre, compared with 181
crates the preceding year. The total production amounted to 1,984,000 crates, compared with 1,430,000 cmtes in 1925. The price received is estimated at
$1.17 per crate, com,pared with 91 cents in 1925, and the total valueofthe crop
is placed at $2,321,0:-0,com,pared with $1.,301,000 in 1925. The cantaloupe crop Is grown commercially principally in the Arkansas valley in Otero, Crowley and Bent counties, with smaller acreages in Pueblo and Prowers and minor acreages in a few counties in northern Colorado and on the western slope. The number of cars of cantaloupes and honeydews shipped from the 1926 crop amounted to4,078cars, compared with3,224 cars for the1925crop and2,654cars from the 1924 crop.
Celery-The celery industry in Colorado holds about steady. The acreage harvested in 1926 is estimated at 940 acres, compared with· 920 acres in 1925.
Jefferson and Adams counties lead in the production
ot
this crop. There is considerable commercial acreage also in Arapa.hoe, El Paso, Pueblo andFre-mont counties. The crop is being tried out in 8, limited way· in the higher altitudes. The production in 1926is estimated at 282,000 crates, compared with
386,000 crates In 1925. TheTe was considerable damage to the 1926 crop by
rust. The total number of cars of straight celery reported amount to 166, com-pared to 399 in1925. Much celery moves in mixed vegetable carlot shipments.
8 AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS
Lettuce-The production of lettuce in C'olorado continues to increase as
an important .industry. There was considerable expansion in acreage in 1926,
the area devoted to the crop being .approximately 13,240 acres, compared to
10,500 acres in 1925. It is estimated, ho,vever, that 13,800 were planted. It is
difficult to correctly estimate the actual acres harvested, as there is
consider-able acreage every year partly or entirely a failure. The crop is almost whollY
head lettuce, grown in altitudes above 6,000 feet. The season of 1926 was
reasonably favorable, though considerable acreage proved 8jfailure on account
of too much dry weather in some localities and too much rain in others. The
markets were somewhat unfavorable when the bulk of the crop was ready to move, the latter part of August, and considerta ble lettuce was not delivered that would have moved had prices been favorable. The total production of lettuce
is estimated at 1,523,000 crates, compared with 1,396,000 crates in 1925. The
average price was somewhat lower than in the preceding year, being $1.43 per
crate, compared, to $1.58: in 1925. The total value of the 1926 crop, including
containers and packing charges, was about $2,178,000, compared to $2,206,000 in
1925. The number of cars of lettuce shipped from the 1926 crop was 2,788,
com-pared with 3,096 in 1925. Considerable additional lettuce moves in mixed
vegetable carlot shipments.
Seed Crops-The production of seed crops in Colorado continued to show
some increase in development. The climate and other conditions in Colorado
are largely favorable to high class seed crops in addition to such staple seed
crops as millet" alfalfa, sorghum and sweet clover seed. Seed beans still hold
the distinction of hraving the largest acreage, being about 11,500 acres, with cucumbers next, amounting to 8,950 acres, of which 6,050 acres were for seed
alone. Vegetable seeds are grown chiefly in the Arkansas valley, Ottro and
Crowley counties leading, with minor 8Crc!tge.s grown in Fremont county and
in the Greeley district in Weld county in the northern part of the state. 1\lost
of the seed beans are also grown in Weld county.
Millet-Approximately 89,500 acres were grown in the state in 1926, compar-ed with 83,000 acres in 1925. Of the area devotcompar-ed to millet, it is estimatcompar-ed about 33,000 acres were cut for seed, most of the remainder being cut for hay or pas-tured. The average yield of the seed crop was about 7 bushels per acre and the total production was 277,000 bushels, compared with 264,000 bushels in 1925.
Field Peas-About 70,000 acres of field peas were grown in the state in 1926, of which about 25 to 30 per cent are estimated to have been cut for grain,
the remainder being either cut for hay or pastured in the field. How'ever, nlost
of the crop has a value equivalent to that cut for grain. A very large per cent
of this crop is grown in the San Luis valley, Rio Grande county leading with about 26,500 acres; Saguache being second, with 14,130 acres and Conejos third,
with 11,320 acres. It is' the practice in this section to pasture a large portion
of this crop in the fields without cutting or harvesting. Sheep and hogs are
the principal stock to utilize this crop.
Peas For Canning and Market-In addition to field peas, there was har-vested Ia.bout 5,100 acres of peas :for canning and market in 1926, of which about 4,500 acres is considered the commercial crop, com.pared with 6,080 acres in
1926. Most of the peas planted for canning purposes are grown in the north
central counties, Weld, Larimer, Boulder and Adams leading in the order named
for production. Green peas for table consumption are grown mostly around
D'enver, Pueblo and Canon City, in the lower altitudes and in the San Luis
valley for the later production in the higher altitudes. Green peas for table use
are becoming an important crop in the higher altitudes and are shipped in mixed cars with head lettuce and cauliflower in the! late summer and fall season, at which time prices are usually good for this crop, as the market is comparatively
bare. .
Tomatoes-In 1926, about 2,950 acres of tomatoes were reported as grown for manufacture and table use, of which 2,350 acres were for manufacture,
compared with 3,040 acres in 1925. The total production for manufacture-. is
estimated at 17,600 tons, compared with 25,800 tons in 1925, and the total value
at $211,000, compared with $297,000 in 1925. Tomatoes for manufacture are
grown under contract tor factories in Weld, Bould'er, Adams, Denver, Mesa, Delta, Otero, Crowley and Fremont counties.
Cauliflower-In 1926, 1,100 acres of cauliflower were reported for ma"rket,
in addition to local consumption, compared with 1,000 acres in 1925. The
sf
A TE OF COLORADO 9crop is valued at $104,000, compared with $114,000 in 1925. Cauliflower is grown
extensively around Denver for local use and mixed vegetable shipment and it is also becoming important in the higher altitudes and being marketed in
connec-tion with mixed vegetables, such as lettuce and peas. The total number of
straight carloads of cauliflower shipped in 1926 was 203, compared with 191 in 1925.
Mixed Vegetables-In connection with the marketing of the various vege-table crops grown in Colorado, considerable portions are shipped as mixed vegetables, and the carlot movement of the individual vegetJa ble crops
there-fore does not fully represent the entire movem'ent. The number of cars of
mixed vegetables shipped from the 1926 crop was 3,471, compared with 4,111 in 1925 and 1,351 cars in 1920.
App les-The total production
or
apples in Colorado for 1926 js estimatedat 3,444,000 bushels, compared with 3,200,000 bushels in 1925, and is the record
crop since 1922, when 4,250,000 bushels were produced. The commercial crop
is estimated I8t 969,000 barrels, compared with 959,000 barrels in 1925. Prices
were much lower than in the preceding year and so unsatisfactory thata large
per cent of the crop failed to move. The industry suffered the disadvantage of
new regulations concerning the wiping of apples in preparation for market. The total 'Vlalue of the agricultural crops was estimated at $2,411,000, compared
with $3,520,000 in 1925. The leading counties in the order of production of
apples are Delta, Mesa, Fremont and Montrose, with considerable production
in Larimer, Otero, Garfield and l\fontezuma counties. Shipments from the 1926
crop amounted to 2,683 cars, compared with 3,193 cars in 1925 and with 3,891 cars, the high record from the 1921 crop.
Peaches-The 1926 peach crop was more than twice as large as that of 1925 and amounted to 976,000 bushels, compared to 450,000 bushels in 1925. The census of 1925 reported 395,000 peach trees of all ages and a production of
728,0,;0 bushels in 1924. The peach shipments from the 1926 crop were 1,278
cars, compared with 834 cars in 1925. The leading peach counties in order of
production are Mesa, Delta, Montezuma, Montrose and Ga.rfield.
Pears-The production of pears in the state held about steady in 1926 and
was estimated at 564,000 bushels, compared to 510,000 bushels in 1925. The
Shipments from the 1926 crop amounted to 754 cars, comparedi to 717 cars in
1925 and 955 cars, the record shipment in 1924. The 1920 census reported
136,Of'0 trees of bearing age and 40,000 trees not of bea.ring age, and 270,000
bushels harvested. Practically all trees should now be of bearing age. Most
of the pearsofthe state are produced in Mesa county, with minor production in
Delta and Montrose counties.
Cherries-1926 was a good cherry year for Colorado, the production amount-ing to about 7,000 tons, compared with 2,600 tons in 1925 and 650 tons in 1924. The census of 1920 reported 349,000 trees of bearing age and 75,000 trees not
of bearing age and 5,500 tons of cherries harvested t.hRt season. Practically
all of these trees a.re now of bearing age and the normal crop 'w'ould be
con-siderably larger than in the censna year. The leading cherry counties are
Larimer, Fremont and Jefferson, with considerable production also in Otero
and Delta counties. III Delta county, a good many sweet cherries are produced
and this kind of cherry is becoming quite important. The cherry industry is
greatly expanding. The valueof the crop in 1926 is estimated at $700,OO(),
com-pared with $396,000 in 1925.
Plums, Grapes anti Small Fruits-According to the federal census of Jan-uary 1, 1920, the number of plums and prunes of bearing age was 80,027; not of bearing age, 28,035; grape vines, 125,027 of bearing age, and 15,836 not of
bearing age. All of these trees ond vines are now of bearing age. There were
653 acres of strawberries, 600 acres of raspberries and about 104 acres of black-berries, dewberries and loganberries in Colorado at the beginning of 1920. The production of these small fruits has been gradually increasing in recent years,
though there was some decline from 1910 to 1920.
Livestock-In this bulletin wtll be found tables showing the numbers, values and other information relating to the different classes of livestock for January 1, 1927, and comparative information for preceding years.
United States FigureS-On pages 28 and 29 of this bulletin will be found a general table showing the acreage, production and value of the
prin-cipal United States crops for the year 1926 and comparative Information for
